logo
Batu Puteh RCI: No further action against Dr Mahathir due to age factor

Batu Puteh RCI: No further action against Dr Mahathir due to age factor

The Suna day ago
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has decided not to proceed with action against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the issue of sovereignty involving Pulau Batu Puteh, which was raised in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), due to age-related considerations, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that although he believed a serious wrongdoing had occurred, the Cabinet had decided not to pursue further action as Dr Mahathir is now 100-years-old.
'We made the decision because it involves a former Prime Minister who is 100-years-old. ... in the Cabinet, I agreed that no action should be taken. If we did, (the MP for) Kota Bharu would be shouting that we are being unfair.
'... He is already 100 ... the mistake is serious, but we should not proceed,' he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who had asked why the Pulau Batu Puteh RCI had been withdrawn.
Anwar stressed that although the government had decided not to pursue action, this did not mean the wrongdoing had not occurred.
'It's not an allegation; it is something that genuinely happened,' he said.
Previously, the RCI on the Handling of Matters Related to the Sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge had recommended that criminal investigations be initiated against Dr Mahathir.
That recommendation was among those included in the 217-page RCI report that was distributed to Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat.
According to the report, criminal investigations could be initiated against the former Prime Minister under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 417, and also under Section 418 of the same Code.
'In the context of Section 415(b), what needs to be demonstrated is that Tun Dr Mahathir had deceived the Cabinet and intentionally persuaded the Malaysian Government not to proceed with the applications (for review and interpretation of ICJ rulings), even though the decision was made unilaterally by Tun Dr Mahathir without Cabinet approval,' the report said.
On May 23, 2008, the International Court of Justice ruled that Singapore had sovereignty over Batu Puteh, while Middle Rocks, located less than a kilometre from the island, belonged to Malaysia. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Auditor-General's Report Debate In Parliament Boosts Governance Reforms, Integrity
Auditor-General's Report Debate In Parliament Boosts Governance Reforms, Integrity

Barnama

time39 minutes ago

  • Barnama

Auditor-General's Report Debate In Parliament Boosts Governance Reforms, Integrity

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The debate on the 2025 Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) Series 2 in the Dewan Rakyat today has been described as a significant step towards strengthening the accountability and transparency of public institutions, in line with the government's commitment to governance reforms. Members of Parliament (MPs) praised the government's decision to table LKAN 2/2025 for debate in the Dewan Rakyat as a progressive move, allowing elected representatives to scrutinise the audit findings and put forward constructive proposals for improvement. They believe that this approach reflects the government's unwavering commitment to strengthening the integrity of public financial management while ensuring that the implementation of government programmes delivers tangible benefits to the people. Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) said the debate on the report is clear evidence of the government's ongoing reforms under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's administration, which dares to make bold changes. 'Congratulations also to the National Audit Department for providing a detailed report and allowing the Dewan Rakyat to debate it… this is a reform measure that needs to be repeated,' he said during the LKAN 2/2025 debate session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) said the debate provided an opportunity for elected representatives to voice reprimands, views, and constructive criticisms on LKAN, thereby strengthening the checks and balances in line with the institutional reforms promised by the government. Meanwhile, MPs who took part in the debate also offered reprimands and suggestions for improvements on the issues highlighted in LKAN, which involved the audit results of five programmes, activities, and projects across seven ministries, with the total audited cost amounting to RM48.873 billion. Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) proposed that the cooking oil subsidy be transformed into targeted assistance through e-vouchers using the Central Database Hub (PADU) system, following the serious weaknesses in the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (COSS) highlighted in LKAN. 'With this voucher, consumers can make purchases at supermarkets, retail stores, or online. This approach will also reduce administrative burdens, increase transparency, and prevent leakages that have plagued the distribution chain,' he said.

Immunity is for the fearful and guilty, Dr M tells Anwar
Immunity is for the fearful and guilty, Dr M tells Anwar

Free Malaysia Today

time43 minutes ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Immunity is for the fearful and guilty, Dr M tells Anwar

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (left) slammed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for acting as 'judge and prosecutor' in the matter. PETALING JAYA : 'I do not need to be given immunity due to my age', former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after the Cabinet refused to take action against him over his role in the Batu Puteh issue. In a post on X today, Mahathir said he should be taken to court to be proven guilty given the accusations. 'The one who judged me as guilty was Anwar. The one who said no action needs to be taken against me was also Anwar. 'He said I was not charged, despite being guilty, as I am 100 years old. This means I have been given immunity. 'I know I am not guilty, and I want to prove it. Immunity is for those afraid of going to court because they know they are guilty,' he said. Yesterday, Anwar noted that a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) last year had found it likely that Mahathir had deliberately influenced the Cabinet to discontinue review applications regarding Batu Puteh's sovereignty in 2018, despite the views of international consultants who said the applications had a reasonable likelihood of success. The RCI recommended that a police report be lodged against Mahathir, saying a criminal investigation could be initiated under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code for cheating. 'Was he not wrong? He was wrong. Should we take action? The Cabinet agreed not to. We made a decision because it involved a former prime minister who is 100 years old,' Anwar said in the Dewan Rakyat. Mahathir lambasted Anwar for acting as 'judge and prosecutor' in the matter. 'Such is his great power. But the constitution does not say that the prime minister can be a prosecutor or judge,' he said.

Fisheries amendment bill 2025 raises penalties for offences
Fisheries amendment bill 2025 raises penalties for offences

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

Fisheries amendment bill 2025 raises penalties for offences

KUALA LUMPUR: The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled for its first reading in Parliament today, proposing stricter penalties for fisheries-related offences. The bill seeks to amend the Fisheries Act 1985, raising fines from RM20,000 to RM100,000 for general violations. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu confirmed that the second and third readings will follow during the current parliamentary session. The amendments aim to modernise fisheries management in line with national and international industry developments. Key changes include updates to Section 26, which now covers offences involving destructive fishing methods such as explosives, poisons, and electric devices. Subsection 27(1) has also been revised to prohibit harming or trading aquatic mammals and turtles, including their parts, outside state jurisdiction. The bill increases fines for offences involving protected marine species from RM5,000 to RM250,000. 'Subclause 21(b) seeks to amend subsection 27(4) of Act 317, to raise the fine for offences involving any aquatic mammal or turtle, or any part or derivative thereof, in Malaysian fisheries waters,' stated the parliamentary document. In a separate development, the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025 was also introduced. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail explained that the bill expands the use of compulsory attendance orders for offenders facing up to 10 years' imprisonment, up from the current three-year limit. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store